Nixon White House tapes: the gift that keeps on giving
- Nov 16, 2007
Via David Corn:
President Nixon: What's your evaluation or Reagan after meeting him several times now.
Kissinger: Well, I think he's a--actually I think he's a pretty decent guy.
President Nixon: Oh, decent, no question, but his brains
Kissinger: Well, his brains, are negligible. I--
President Nixon: He's really pretty shallow, Henry.
Kissinger: He's shallow. He’s got no...he's an actor. He--When he gets a line he does it very well. He said, "Hell, people are remembered not for what they do, but for what they say. Can't you find a few good lines?" [Chuckles.] That's really an actor's approach to foreign policy--to substantive....
President Nixon: I've said a lot of good things, too, you know damn well.
Kissinger: Well, that too.
...
President Nixon: Can you think though, Henry, can you think, though, that Reagan with certain forces running in the direction could be sitting right here?
Kissinger: Inconceivable.
...
President Nixon: Back to Reagan though. It shows you how a man of limited mental capacity simply doesn't know what the Christ is going on in the foreign area.
